{"id":28486,"date":"2024-05-07T08:37:09","date_gmt":"2024-05-07T06:37:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pontevecchiosrl.it\/?p=28486"},"modified":"2024-05-14T09:37:58","modified_gmt":"2024-05-14T07:37:58","slug":"coffee-break-origins-and-why-it-is-done","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pontevecchiosrl.it\/en\/coffee-break-origins-and-why-it-is-done\/","title":{"rendered":"Coffee break: origins and why it is done"},"content":{"rendered":"

Among the most sacred rituals of the day, the coffee break undoubtedly ranks at the top. We are talking about a true <\/span>refreshing moment<\/b>, which allows us to take a break from work and indulge in ten minutes of relaxation in the company of our colleagues, exchanging a chat and catching our breath.<\/span><\/p>\n

What you consider an inalienable right, however, has not always been so.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stopping work to drink coffee, until last century, was completely inconceivable. It took entire <\/span>ranks of workers<\/b> who, through <\/span>strikes<\/b>, earned <\/span>the right to spend ten minutes a day in the company of a good cup of coffee<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

But what are the origins of this habit? We who know about coffee did a little investigation and discovered that the <\/span>history of the coffee break is the result of countless struggles<\/b> in various parts of the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this article we will tell you all about them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Origins of the coffee break<\/span><\/h2>\n

When it comes to the origins of the coffee break, there are many companies that boast that they were among the first to grant it to their employees. In fact, the first certain date associated with this ritual is <\/span>1901<\/b>, the year in which <\/span>Luigi Bezzera<\/b> from Milan invented the first espresso machine. It seems, in fact, that his intention was to get his employees to drink coffee faster, so that they could return to work as soon as possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If we talk about coffee breaks as we understand them today, however, we have to go to America, to <\/span>Buffalo<\/b>, a city in the state of New York. Here, in fact, the Barcalounger Company is based, which, at the time, was known as the Barcalo Manufacturing Company. Specialised in the production of armchairs, from <\/span>1902<\/b> it began to grant its employees 15 minutes daily to devote to coffee, which they could consume completely free of charge.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read from your point of view, i.e. that of a person who considers the coffee break so normal as to border on the banal, such stories will appear completely absurd.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But you must always bear in mind that the working conditions of those years were very different from those of today, and what you rightly take for granted today, was a real luxury for the employees of those days. Things, however, were slowly beginning to change.<\/span><\/p>\n

After the Second World War, the first coffee vending machines started to appear in offices, although the <\/span>term ‘coffee break’ was not officially introduced until 1952<\/b>. In that year, in fact, a large American company called the <\/span>Pan-American Coffee Burea<\/b>u decided to invest in South American coffee production, more precisely that of Colombia and Brazil.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Its goal became to convince its compatriots to drink the coffee produced in these countries, to the point of spending a good two million dollars on radio and print advertisements that, with the slogan <\/span>‘Give yourself a coffee-break – and get what coffee gives to you’<\/span><\/i>, invited people to enjoy this exquisite beverage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Drinking coffee then began to be considered a real right<\/b>, so much so that, in 1964, members of the United Auto Workers association obtained a 12-minute coffee break, after having approached the major car manufacturers in the United States, threatening a strike.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As you have surely noticed, however, the facts we have told you so far refer to the labour situation overseas. But how were things in Italy?<\/span><\/p>\n

Coffee breaks in Italy<\/span><\/h2>\n

The 1960s in our country are known for the numerous strikes carried out by workers. The year <\/span>1968<\/b>, in particular, has gone down in history as <\/span>the year of protests by workers<\/b>, who protested for fairer treatment and more rights.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These, needless to say, included a daily break to recover from the hard work, during which employees would be allowed to drink a good coffee. Just think, among those who worked hard at the time to push top management towards granting this right, there was one person who even went so far as to quote Don John Bosco, who used to say: <\/span>‘If I kneel too much to pray, I no longer think of the Lord, but of my knee that hurts!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

An impressive quote, which focused attention on a very important issue: the <\/span>coffee break<\/b> is not only a <\/span>right for employees<\/b>, but also a <\/span>benefit for owners<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It was not known at the time, but today we all know the effect of caffeine on our alertness and alertness levels, which is why the coffee break is not only to relax us, but also to recharge us and make us work even better.<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, in Italy, the coffee break is fully felt and experienced in all regions.\u00a0 In <\/span>Valle d’Aosta<\/b>, coffee is enjoyed <\/span>\u00e0 la cogn\u00e9ntse<\/b>, i.e. served in the traditional ‘grolla’, a symbol of conviviality and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. In <\/span>Campania<\/b>, on the other hand, coffee has to be served extremely hot, while in <\/span>Alto Adige<\/b> people enjoy <\/span>Parampampampoli<\/b>, a coffee-based drink mixed with grappa, wine, sugar, honey, herbs and spices, ideal for fighting the cold winters. In <\/span>Sicily<\/b>, the traditional cold coffee is transformed into a delicious granita.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this way, coffee and the coffee break become an emblem of the identity of each region.<\/span><\/p>\n

We at Pontevecchio understand this!<\/span><\/p>\n

If you want to enjoy a perfect coffee break, you should do it with the right machine. <\/span>Discover the right model for you!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Why coffee breaks are important<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"storia<\/p>\n

The idea of going through a working day without a coffee break seems completely impossible to you. This is normal, for you it is now an established habit, without which you would feel lost. As short as it is, in fact, <\/span>the coffee break allows you to recharge and relax a bit<\/b>, chatting with your colleagues about light topics and using that time to socialise with them, thus improving the working atmosphere.<\/span><\/p>\n

But that’s not all. Thanks to the knowledge we have today, it is now certain that the intake of caffeine (in moderate doses!) <\/span>increases our cognitive capacities<\/b>: both those related to simple concentration and problem solving skills, with the consequence of improving our work performance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, coffee also <\/span>helps us feel less tired<\/b>, keeping us awake and active: two essential conditions for doing our job well, all the more so if we have not slept well (or not at all) the night before.<\/span><\/p>\n

The usefulness of the coffee break is especially remarkable in creative fields. Away from the usual work environment, employees can <\/span>find new inspiration or unexpected solutions<\/b> to problems. The free and informal conversation with colleagues can trigger innovative ideas, stimulating lateral thinking that is unlikely to emerge in a more structured and formal context.<\/span><\/p>\n

But coffee breaks also have an important <\/span>social value<\/b>, as they give us the opportunity to team up with our colleagues, socialising with them and making a team. After all, the ability to work as part of a team is an essential skill in every job position, and one of the benefits of the coffee break is precisely that it enhances and trains this ability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Coffee breaks can also improve physical well-being, as getting up from your desk helps <\/span>counteract the negative effects of prolonged sedentariness<\/b>, such as back pain or eye strain caused by staring at a computer screen for a long time. These moments of rest help, therefore, to maintain a better posture and promote a more active blood circulation.<\/span><\/p>\n

In conclusion, we can therefore say that the coffee break is of real value: not only in our country, but also in many others, albeit with some slight differences.<\/span><\/p>\n

To every culture its coffee break<\/span><\/h2>\n

Up to this point, we have told you about the United States and Italy, although coffee breaks are also present in many other countries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Well, just to give you an idea, let us mention particularly popular coffee breaks: that of <\/span>Germany<\/b>, <\/span>Ethiopia<\/b>, <\/span>Japan<\/b>, <\/span>Arabia<\/b> and <\/span>Sweden<\/b>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Germans take advantage of the <\/span>kaffeeklatsch<\/b>, as they call it, to chat about the day’s events and exchange some tasty gossip. The Swedes, on the other hand, would never give up their beloved <\/span>fika<\/b>: a name that is somewhat ambiguous pronounced in our language, but which in Sweden serves instead to designate the coffee break. A moment that the Swedes indulge in twice a day: both in the morning and in the afternoon.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ethiopia<\/b>, on the other hand, is considered the cradle of <\/span>Coffea Arabica<\/b>. Drinking this beverage is a deep-rooted daily practice, a true collective ritual in which the beans are first roasted over a fire, then ground and finally boiled. The coffee is served in brightly decorated cups, typical of the local culture.<\/span><\/p>\n

In <\/span>Japan<\/b>, instead, coffee is considered a luxury and is treated with care and precision. The selection of the beans and their preparation are considered an art, often displayed in <\/span>‘siphon bars’<\/span><\/i>, where baristas use sophisticated techniques such as the siphon, which uses air pressure for a delicate and aromatic brew.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, in the <\/span>Arab world<\/b>, coffee, known as <\/span>qahwa<\/span><\/i>, symbolises hospitality. Typically flavoured with spices such as cardamom, it is offered to guests as a gesture of welcome.<\/span><\/p>\n

As you can see for yourself, therefore, despite being called by different names, respecting the obvious linguistic differences, the coffee break is still considered a sacred and inviolable right, which no one would ever be able to give up. This is, of course, assuming that the coffee you drink is good – a goal that can easily be achieved by using the right coffee machine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n

Having said that, it can be added that <\/span>Italy<\/b> ranks seventh globally for coffee consumption<\/b>, with an annual total of 5.2 million bags.<\/span><\/p>\n

An astounding result to say the least!<\/span><\/p>\n

Every day, Italians consume around 95 million cups of coffee, with an average of 1.6 cups per person. On the other hand, we are also the most demanding people when it comes to the quality of the grind.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because you know, <\/span>what would a coffee break be without good coffee?<\/b> What appears to be a nonsensical tongue twister, as well as a rather obvious fact, is actually not at all. In fact, all the benefits of a coffee break, to be truly such, depend on the taste of the drink, which, in turn, depends on how it is made.<\/span><\/p>\n

The truth is, if you want to drink good coffee, you should do it with the <\/span>right machine<\/b>: the only true ally capable of providing you with the strong, energising taste you so desperately need.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We coffee lovers specialise in lever coffee machines, the only ones that can guarantee you a coffee made properly. It is no coincidence that a true coffee drinker will not settle for just any old machine, demanding only the best for his palate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So what are you waiting for? Browse our catalogue and <\/span>discover the coffee machine that suits you best<\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Among the most sacred rituals of the day, the coffee break undoubtedly ranks at the top. We are talking about a true refreshing moment, which allows us to take a break from work and indulge in ten minutes of relaxation […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10787,"featured_media":28453,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[147],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28486","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-espresso-coffee"],"yoast_head":"\nCoffee break: origins and why it is done<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Do you know the history of the coffee break? 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